Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected postoperative traumatic arthritis of the right ankle is granted an initial 10 percent rating, effective from December 12, 2012. The Veteran's right ankle surgical scar is also granted a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for osteoarthritis of the left ankle was denied as her disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for creatine phosphokinase has been withdrawn. The claims of service connection for left ankle disorder, left foot disorder, right shoulder disability, and left shoulder disability are pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any claimed conditions and therefore denied service connection for all issues. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral shoulder impingement, chondromalacia patella, and tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions were caused by or incurred during active duty.,Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss disability, lower back condition, left ankle condition, right ankle condition, bilateral plantar fasciitis, spleen condition, and thyroid condition due to lack of evidence linking the disabilities to service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a right ankle disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, bipolar disorder, and anxiety) is remanded due to new evidence received since the July 1998 rating decision. The Veteran's request for a hearing before the Board was withdrawn.

The Board has remanded four issues: right shoulder disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression and anxiety), right ankle disorder, and ear disorder. The Veteran's claims are not ready for the Board’s review due to his failure to appear for VA examinations.

The Board has denied service connection for right thumb disability due to lack of a current disability. The left ankle disability is remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding its onset during service.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches were not productive of characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in two months or more frequently from May 8, 2015 to September 4, 2017, and thus he is denied a compensable disability rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for right hip and lumbar spine conditions. The claim for service connection for a right leg condition, right ankle condition, and right groin condition is remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding their nature. Service connection for lumbar spine condition is granted as secondary to service-connected post-Magnusson stack repair right shoulder with subluxation. The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right shoulder disability, cervical spine arthritis, and right shoulder scar are also remanded.

An effective date of May 15, 1975 is granted for the grant of service connection for a left ankle scar.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for a right arm disorder is denied.

The Veteran's request for increased ratings for his right ankle disability and hallux valgus of both feet was denied. The Board found that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, and left ankle condition due to missing VA treatment records and a need for medical examinations.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's left ankle disability and TDIU claim are inextricably intertwined, so both issues must be remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury. The issues of service connection for neck disability, right ankle disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep apnea are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for a right ankle disorder and a right knee disability due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology and current severity.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including bladder disability, psychiatric disorders (including PTSD and depression), sleep apnea, varicose veins, liver damage, erectile dysfunction, bicep disabilities, knee disabilities, ankle disabilities, low back disability, scar and numbness of the back, right wrist disability, missing tooth disability, eye disability (chronic conjunctivitis), bronchitis, and asthma. The Board found that these conditions are not related to service or do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's low back and bilateral ankle disabilities are granted as service connected. The Board found the evidence in equipoise, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability. However, the claim remains denied as there is no evidence showing that the current disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain is granted a 10% rating, effective from the date of this decision. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus remains at a 30% rating.